One of the biggest, often overlooked advantages of motorhomes over other forms of vacation is that there are few luggage restrictions. But this freedom also has spatial limits. That's why you have to pack systematically so that you don't take "everything and nothing" with you. The following checklist should help.
Check 1: Clothes
Sure, you wouldn't go on vacation without clothes. But that is not the reason why this point is first on the list. Despite its size , a motorhome is not a delivery van . You can't store large suitcases or bags in it so that they don't get in the way.
This means that you should only take clothes with you that can be sensibly stored in the cupboards and storage solutions. It is therefore extremely important, especially with rental mobile homes, to measure these storage compartments before your vacation.
If you have the opportunity to place the mobile in front of your front door the day before your trip, you should take advantage of it, as everything can be easily carried in and stored directly in its final position.
And then the “general weather situation” should be taken into account. It is not necessary to take really “fine” clothing with you, neither on regular pitches nor on campsites abroad – unless you are planning appropriate activities outside of them. The clothes should therefore be chosen according to the basic rule of “comfortable and durable”. The basic equipment for every nose on a normal summer holiday is therefore:
- 1 Long Jeans
- 2 shorts/summer skirts
- 4 T-shirts/short-sleeved casual shirts
- 1 training pants (“gammel outfit”)
- 10 sets of underwear
- 1 set of swimming costumes
- Sneakers, “classier” shoes & flip flops
Little more is needed. You should also look at the relevant campsites online beforehand. Some are equipped with washing machines, but many are not. An alternative can be so-called camping washing machines - but in an emergency, a sink and a tube of travel detergent will also work.
Check 2: Navigation
Navigation devices are standard equipment in some motorhomes, but not in others. However, you should definitely not set off without one, as satellite devices simply make traveling easier.
But: Depending on the version, a motorhome is significantly higher than a car. However, commercially available navigation systems and software for smartphones are usually only designed for car dimensions. If you use this in a motorhome, it can work well 99 times and then the 100th time you'll find yourself standing in front of a low bridge and producing a blaring concert of horns behind you.
For this reason, you should only use navigation systems or mobile phone software that are suitable for motorhomes - alternatively, devices designed for trucks are also possible. The good old travel atlas should also have a place. If you want to gondola through the landscape without a real destination, the navigation system is of little use. With the Atlas, on the other hand, you can get inspiration and also plan corresponding routes much more easily and then transfer them to the navigation system.
Check 3: For the kids
Newbies in particular make the mistake of thinking that because a motorhome is relatively small, they have to make this confinement appealing to their kids by adding more toys - nonsense. The trip itself is pure adventure for children. Especially if the campsite is in nature and the children can jump from adventure to adventure with other kids. The packing list for employment items is therefore short:
- Blank coloring book + colored pencils
- Pipe cleaners to make figures etc. with
- Small stunt kite (preferably a “steering mat” without vulnerable rods)
- A few toy cars/dolls
- Sandpit utensils
- Swimming gear (tires, wings, etc.)
- Ball & hand pump
But that was it. Depending on the space, kids will hardly even touch these few things. A tip from well-traveled veteran camping parents – take a tent. On campsites, children can play under cover without mom and dad, and for teenage kids it is the opportunity to enjoy their vacation away from their parents (who also get some time for themselves). When it comes to the most important tent criteria , you can start at the lower threshold; a two-man igloo without special features is completely sufficient. There is storage space in the motorhome.
By the way, another tip for parents with babies. There is no need to start the journey with tons of diapers. They are available in literally every country and in most campsite kiosks.
Check 4: Electricity & water supply
This tip is aimed primarily at motorhome lists with their own vehicle. The electricity and water supply is criminally neglected by many, but it is essential. Because no place will have the next connection that you actually need - and RV tanks and batteries can run out frighteningly quickly.
To mitigate this, you have to attack on several fronts. The water packing list therefore includes:
- 2x 5m high-quality garden hose, so there are no tripping hazards depending on the tap distance.
- 1x coupling set for connecting both pieces of hose
- 1x universal adapter (“water thief”)
- Tap connection ¾ & ½ inch
- 4x Gardena connectors (to connect the hoses to the water thief or the tap connectors)
- 1x folding canister
- Disinfectant spray / disinfectant wipes for cleaning third-party connections
In addition, the packing list for the electricity:
- 25m robust construction site cable (no cheap compromises please)
- 2x camping power adapter (camping plug to normal plug)
- Triple plug for the blue CEE camping plugs
- 1x roll of waterproof fabric adhesive tape (for rolling up, sealing, etc.)
Check 5: Food
When it comes to physical well-being, the same applies as applies to diapers. You don't have to prepare for a trip lasting several weeks through deserted wastelands and load up your motorhome with dozens of cans etc.
Experienced campers have a two-pronged policy:
- Full basic equipment for three days (so that you don't have to go to the supermarket straight away after your arrival)
- A small selection of favorite foods that are not available in the holiday destination (there are said to be people who can't survive two weeks without a potato soup pot)
However, basic ingredients such as pasta, potatoes, vegetables and meat can be bought everywhere. However, it is much more important to have the right basic cooking utensils with you:
- Stackable pots
- Folding handle pan
- Spices (available in multiple dispensers that contain salt, pepper, etc. in one housing)
- Instant broth
- Vinegar oil
- Bag sauces
- Instant coffee
So little things that don't take up a lot of space, but make it possible to cook a meal without actually having to get everything from the supermarket. And of course you can also use the opportunity to try something new. For example, special recipe ideas that are suitable for motorhomes or simply something from the local cuisine – such recipes are easy to find with your smartphone.
Check 6: Universal helpers
Up to this point you can definitely start a nice motorhome holiday. But there are also a whole range of things that make the trip a little sweeter or simply make it easier. The penultimate item on the packing list is dedicated to these little helpers.
- TWO toiletry bags - because on many campsites the washrooms are separated by gender. This means you can still do your morning toilet at the same time.
- A high quality binoculars. For observing nature or just hiking. However, please don't buy cheap 20-euro items from the supermarket; good binoculars start at 100 euros.
- A first aid kit with all important medications as well as plasters, burn ointment, aspirin and painkillers.
- Sewing kits – with so little clothing, every button that comes off is very painful. The set also includes at least ten safety pins.
- Microfiber bath towels. These dry much quicker than their normal terry cloth equivalents and are much more travel-friendly.
- A camping lantern, either with lamp oil or with gas and mantle. A very cozy light when you sit in front of the motorhome in the evening.
- Two LED headlamps. Keep your hands free and prove useful when you want to find your way to the toilets in the dark.
- Ten suction cup hooks. Can be attached to any smooth surface in the motorhome, removed without leaving a trace and hold everything from spoons to towels where they are needed.
- A truly travel-friendly hiding place for valuables. Not an obvious money box, but rather, for example, a repurposed sunscreen tube or a cleaned, opaque ketchup bottle in the fridge.
- A waterproof picnic blanket - for a stop in between or simply for rainy days
A plastic carrying box with a securely lockable lid has also proven to be very useful. There is space for everything from moisture-sensitive kitchen ingredients such as flour and sugar to devices that are not sensitive to moisture, such as electronics.
Check 7: Ü like unnecessary ballast
Of course, there are still a number of things that beginners in particular consider essential, but which in reality are a complete waste of space.
- Strollers are bulky. Babies can be transported in a carrier or tied to the chest with a cloth ; For older children, a folding buggy is sufficient.
- Sleeping bags are confining and are not even needed for the kids camping next door. Better because blankets that can be closed with a zipper are universal.
- Rubber boots. Unless you're camping in late fall, you never wear them. When it rains in summer, flip flops are enough and kids benefit from walking barefoot.
- Water purification tablets. It goes to well-supplied campsites and parking spaces in first world countries, not to the Brazilian rainforest.
- Books. They are extremely heavy for their size and also bulky for a real bookworm. Today it should be an e-book reader - 100 books in the format of an A5 notebook.
- Reserve canister. The petrol station network is excellently developed in Europe. If you drive to the nearest gas pump when the tank is a quarter full, you will never have any problems.
- Hair Dryers – Hair dryers are available in virtually every campground washroom.
And when traveling, you should load the motorhome so that heavy items such as cans are stored in the lockable box as low as possible over the axles. This means the contents don't roll around and don't upset the delicate balance of the charge.
Conclusion
The motorhome allows you to take a lot more with you than on a car or plane trip. However, you shouldn't be tempted to load half your household. RV storage space is also limited – more limited than any hotel room closet. Only experience shows what you really need personally. If you travel often, you should throw out anything that you still don't need after two trips.
Image sources: 1) fotolia.com © mocromonkey; 2) fotolia.com © FotoKachna; 3) fotolia.com © Gina Sanders; 4) fotolia.com © nd3000
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